Rail anchor applicator



July 2, 1963 E. c. SWANSON 3,095,826

RAIL ANCHOR APPLICATOR Filed Nov. 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 2, 1963 E. c. SWANSON RAIL ANCHOR APPLICATOR AWN:

Edwin/C BYj J i July 2, 1963 E. c. SWANSON RAIL ANCHOR APPLICATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 15, 1957 R m m w fel a/5m C Swan-50m July 2, 1963 E. c. swANsoN 3,09

RAIL ANCHOR APPLICATOR Filed Nov. 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

I lTQZ/ZmCSwmw I I BY 6/14? 7 3,095,826 RAIL ANCHOR APPLICATOR Edwin C. Swanson, Rockford, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Unit Rail Anchor Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 15, 1957, Ser. No. 696,739 20 Claims. (Cl. 104-2) This invention relates to an apparatus for applying rail anchors to the rails of railway tracks to prevent longitudinal creeping of the rails relative to the ties on which the rails are laid.

Rail anchors comprise a strap of strong spring-like metal bent approximately into a C-shape of a length sufficient to span the base of a rail beneath the rail between the ties. The anchor is positioned transversely of the rail base and includes a portion at one end adapted to hook on one side edge of the rail base and a portion near the other end adapted to snap onto the opposite side edge of the rail base when the anchor is forced upwardly beneath the rail. The anchors are placed on the rails adjacent one or both sides of some or all of the railroad ties, are tightly held on the rails, and abut the ties to prevent longitudinal creeping of the rails on the ties.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a new and improved rail anchor applicator mechanism for forcing a rail anchor upwardly beneath a rail to snap the anchor onto the rail base.

Another object is to provide a novel positioner mechanism for holding a rail anchor beneath a rail and against a tie preparatory to application of the anchor to the rail base.

A more specific object is to provide a novel rail anchor applicator including a carriage movable along a railroad track, a positioner mechanism on the carriage for holding a rail anchor preparatory to application of the anchor to the rail, and an applicator mechanism for forcing the anchor onto the rail base.

Other objects and advantages will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a rail anchor applicator embodying the principles of the present invention', with the anchor positioning mechanism and the anchor applying mechanism in elevated retracted pos tions permitting movement of the carriage along railroad track;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, taken at about the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, with the anchor positioning mechanism lowered to an operative position, and the applying mechanism in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational View of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, taken at about the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, with the anchor positioning mechanism and the anchor applying mechanism positioned as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken at about the line 44 of FIG. 3, with the anchor positioning mechanism and the anchor applying mechanism lowered to operative positions;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken at about the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken at about the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view taken at about the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the fluid circuits.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many dilferent forms, and it should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, the numerals 10 and 11 designate the parallel rails of a railroad track or the like, and the numeral 12 indicates one of the transversely extending ties on which the rails 10 and 11 are laid.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, a rail anchor 13 used with the apparatus of this invention comprises a generally C-shaped strip of strong spring-like metal having at one end a hook-like portion 13a adapted to hook over one side edge of the base of a rail such as those illustrated at 10 and 11. Near the other end, the anchor is formed with an indented portion 13b adapted to snap onto the opposite side edge of the rail base when the rail anchor is forced upwardly from the full line position of FIG. 5 to the broken line position by the application of an upwardly directed force applied to a midportion 13c of the anchor. Intermediate the midportion 13c and the hook portion 13a, the anchor is bent upwardly as illustrated at 13d to form a recess for an anchor supporting pin adapted to hold the anchor in the full line position illustrated preparatory to application of the anchor to the rail base. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the anchors are applied to the rail 11 at opposite sides of the tie 12, and are placed by hand in the positions illustrated. Before application of the anchors to the rail base, the anchors are moved longitudinally of the rail, toward each other, to firmly abut opposite sides of the tie so that after application the anchor serves to prevent longitudinal creeping of the rail relative to the tie.

As illustrated, the invention is embodied in an apparatus including a hand car or carriage 15 movable along the rails 10 and 11, an anchor positioner mechanism 16 supported on the carriage, and an anchor applicator mechanism 17 also supported on the carriage.

Carriage The carriage 15 comprises a framework consisting of a pair of spaced parallel axles 20 and 21 which are held in fixed relations-hip to each other by means of an angle iron 22 secured to the axles at one end and a pair of angle irons 23 secured to the axles near the opposite end. Adjacent the angle irons 23, the axles carry rollers or wheels 24 adapted to rest on and roll along the rail 10, and adjacent the angle iron 22 the axles carry flanged rollers or wheels 25 adapted to rest on and roll along the rail 11 while embracing the top of the rail to retain the carriage on the tracks, as best seen in FIG. 3. The angle irons 23 provide a support for accessory equipment including a seat 28 for an operator which is carried on an inverted channel iron 29 transversely adjustable on the angle irons 23. A pair of spaced plates 30 are secured to the angle iron to support a pump 31 of a conventional type which may be driven by a gasoline engine or the like for supplying pressure fluid to the hydraulic apparatus. Near the axle 21, a pair of spaced plates 32 may be supported on the angle irons 23 to provide a resting place for a tool box if desired.

The carriage is made sturdy enough to support the positioner mechanism, the applicator mechanism, the accessory equipment, and an operator, but at the same time is made light enough that the carriage may be placed on and off the tracks by hand and easily pushed along the rails by hand.

Anchor Positioner Mechanism The supporting framework of the carriage includes a pair of horizontal supports 35 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in the 3. form of channel members having their outer ends secured to the angle iron 22 and extending laterally therefrom toward the center of the carriage. At the inner ends, the supports 35 have upright columns 36 secured thereto, the columns 36 comprising flat strap-like plates terminating at their upper endsin inwardly turned flanges 37. The flanges 37 are reinforcedby inclined braces 38 having their upperends secured to the under sides of the flanges and their lower ends secured respectively to the axles 20 and 21. The columns 36 form supports for a pair of flanged roller dfr (FIG. 4), one on a horizontal axis on each of the columns 36, and'the rollers 40 support the positioner mechanism 16'.

The positioner mechanism includes a generally C-shaped frame having-a middle leg 42 and end legs 43 and 44. The middle legA-Zcomprises a cylindrical rod which rests on the rollers ell-to hang the positioner frame from the rollers with the middle leg horizontally slidable on the rollers and rotatable on the rollers to swing theend legs 43and 44,,toward-and away from the rail 11- between a retracted position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and an operative position straddling a tie as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and .6. As illustrated, the middle leg-42 may be reinforced by an elongated plate. 46Welded to the central portion of the rod. Guide rollers 48 (FIGS. 3 and 6), one. carried by each of the columns 36, bear against upper portions of the rod 42 to retain the rod on the rollers 40.

The legs 43 and 44 of the positioner frame carry anchor positioning devices 50 and 51 respectively. When the positioner frame is swung toward the rail 11, the legs 43 and 44 straddle the tie 12, and the positioner devices 50 and 51 move to positions alongside the base of the rail 11 to position and-hold a pair of rail anchors 13 for application to the rail base. Thepositioner device 50 is fixed to the end of the leg 43, and includes a block 53 vertically adjustable on the leg, and an anchor supporting pin 54 on the block engageable with the seat 13d in a rail anchor to hold the anchor against the rail base in the position illustrated preparatory to application of the anchor to the rail base. The block 53 also includes apusher abutment 55 engageable with the side of a rail anchor 13 on movement of the positioner devices toward each other to push the anchor 13 against one side of the tie 12.

The positioner device 51 is mounted on the lower end of the leg for movement toward the pusher 50. The device 51.is similar to that illustrated'at 50, and includes a block 53, an anchor supporting pin 54 and a pusher abutment 55'. The block 53 is secured to a movable cylinder 58 in a piston and cylinder device 56 vertically adjustable on the leg 4-4. As best seen in FIG. 4 the piston and cylinder device 56 comprises hollow cylinder 58 slidable. in a sleeve 59 and on a hollow piston 60. The sleeve 59 is secured on an enlarged base portion of the piston 60 which in turn is vertically adjustable on the leg 44. The cylinder 58 is normally held in a retracted position by a tension spring 61 having one end suitably connected to the cylinder 58 and the other end connected to the hollow piston 60. Fluid under pressure may be admitted to the cylinder to extend the cylinder relative to the piston to move the positioner devices 50 and 51 toward each other.

Preferably, the lower end of the leg 43 has a pedal 6'5 secured thereon in a position convenient to the foot of an operator seated at 28. The positioner frame may be swung from the retracted position to the operative position, utilizing the pedal 65, and held in the operative position by foot pressure to hold the anchors in position for application. If desired, the weight of the positioner mechanism may be counterbalanced by means of a weight 70 on an arm 71 secured to the rod 42 or the reinforcing plate 46 as by welding so that the positioner frame will remain in an elevated position. If desired, a chain or the like maybe provided for connection between the weight arm 71 and'the carriage framework 'for positively holding the positioner frame in the elevated position.

In operation, the positioner frame is swingable to a retracted position illustratedin full lines in FIG. 1 and in broken lines in FIG. 3, wherein the legs 43 and 44 of the frame are elevated above the ties to permit movement of the carriage along the track. When the carriage is stationary, the positioner frame may be moved longitudinally on the carriage by sliding the rod 52. on the supporting rollers 45} so that the legs 43 and 44 will straddle a tie when swung toward the rail 11. From the retracted position, the positioner frame may be pivoted on the rollers4h to swing the legs 43and-44 toward the rail 1:1 to an operative position with the positioner devices Si) and 51 adjacent the base of the rail on opposite sides ofthe tie. In use, the rail anchors 13 are positioned by hand substantially as illustrated in full line in the drawings, with the hook portions 13a over the inner edge of the base of the rail and with the anchors adjacent opposite sides of the tie 12.- Whenthe positioner frame is swung downwardly to the operative position, the anchor supporting pins 54 and 54 engage the seats 13d in the anchors to hold the anchors against the base of the rail. With the frame in the lowered position, fluid may be admitted to the cylinder 58 to extend the cylinder 53 relative to its supporting piston 66, moving the positioner device-51 toward the positionerdevice 5t During this movement, the abutment 55' engages the side of the anchor, forcing the anchor against the side of the tie. When the anchor abuts the tie, movement of the positioner device 51 is terminated, and fluid pressure backs the piston 60 outwardly of the cylinder 58, moving the entire positioner frame as the rod 42; slides on the rollers st} to cause movement of the positioner device 5% toward the opposite side of the tie. During this movement, the pusher abutment SS-engages the side of the adjacent rail anchor forcing the latter against-the opposite side of the tie. So long as fluid-pressure is admitted to piston and cylinder device 56 the anchors will be firmly held against opposite sides of-the tie for application by the applicator mechanism 17. Preferably, a low pressure fluid is utilized in the piston and cylinder device 56 while a high pressure fluid is utilized in the applicator mechanism.

Anchor Applicator Mechanism The supporting framework of the carriage includes a horizontally disposed support rod 75 having opposite ends secured -to the horizontal flanges 37 at the top of the columns 36. The rod 75 supports an applicator frame for swinging movement about the rod and for longitudinal movement on the rod. The applicator frame comprises a flat rectangular plate 76 and a spaced parallel plate 78 which carry a pair of flanged rollers '77 therebetween resting on the rod 75. A lower portion vof the plate 76 carries a pair of retaining rollers 79 which function to hold the rollers 77 on the rod 75. The applicator frame maybe pivoted about the rod 75 and moved longitudinally on the rod by wheeling the rollers 77 along the rod.

The applicator mechanism is mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly on the swingable applicator frame by means including a pair of tubes or cylinders 81 secured to the applicator frame plate 76 and having a pair of plungers 82 therein slidable upwardly and downwardly. The applicator comprises a carriage 83 in the form of a generally horizontally disposed plate having a shoe 84 engageable with the top of the rail 11 when the carrier is in the lowered position and having a pair of upwardly extending ears 85 pivotally connected to the lowerends of the plungersSZas illustrated at 86. The shoe 84-comprises a first applicator jaw, and the carrier 83 has a pair of depending legs 89 having a second applicator jaw or anchor applying member 90 pivoted thereon as at 91.

The anchor applying member 9t; comprises a somewhat -C-shaped member (FIG. having its upper portion pivoted at 91, having a lower end portion 92 which functions as a pressure applying'iaw engageable with the bottom of a rail anchor as at 130 to force the anchor upwardly onto the rail base, and having an intermediate portion pivotally connected as at 93 to a piston and cylinder device 94 connected between the two applicator jaws to pivot the member 90 to apply the rail anchor. The piston and cylinder device 94 comprises a hollow piston 95' pivoted as at 96 to the carrier 83.and having a hollow cylinder 97 slidable thereon and connected at 93 to the anchor applying member 90. The cylinder 97 is normally retained in a retracted position illustrated in full line in FIG. 5 by means of a spring 100 under tension in the piston 95 and having one end connected to the-piston and the other end connected to the cylinder. On admission of fluid under pressure to the cylinder, it will be forced outwardly, pivoting the anchor applying member to the broken line position illustrated in FIG. 5 to force the anchor 13 from the full line position upwardly onto the rail base as illustrated in broken line.

The weight of the anchor applying mechanism is supported on the applicator frame by means of a spring counterbalance -mechanism 102 so that the applicator mechanism may be easily manipulated through themedium of a handle 103 secured to the carrier 83 and accessible to the operator seated at 28. The counterbalance mechanism includes aflexible cable 105 having its lower end connected to'the pivot pin 86 and passing upwardly over a first pulley 106 on the applicator frame, over and around a second spaced pulley 107, backwardly under and around a third pulley 108 beside the pulley 106, then over and around a fourth pulley 109 beside the pulley 107. The opposite end of the cable is secured to an axle 110 supporting the pulleys 106 and 108. He axle 1113 is supported on and between a pair of elongated plate .members 112 secured to the frame plates'76 and 78 and extending laterally therefrom. The pulleys 107 and 109 are supported on an axle 114 having a link 115 connected thereto and connected to a tension spring 116. The spring 1116 is anchored at its opposite endto a retainer 117 secured on the outer ends of the plates 112..

In operation, it will be understood that the spring 116 and the mounting for the pulleys 107 and 109permits movement of these pulleys toward andaway from the pulleys 106 and 103 as the carrier 83 is lowered and raised. The strength of the spring 106 is such that the weight of the applicator mechanism is substantially counterbalanced and the applicator mechanism may easily be manipulated through the medium of handle 103 by pivoting the applicator frame on the rod 75, by sliding the plungers- 82 in. the cylinders 81,.and by. pivoting carrier S3 on the plungers. 82 to move the applicator mechanism'from an elevated position illustrated in FIG.'3 permitting movement of the carriage along the rails to the lowered operative position illustrated in'FIG. 5. It will also be understood that the entire applicator mechanism including the applicator frame is movable longitudinally along the supporting rod 75 to properly position the applicator mechanism to first apply an anchor 13 on one side of a tie and then to apply the other anchor on the opposite side of the tie.

Hydraulic Circuit The hydraulic circuit illustrated in'FIG. 8 includes the pump 31 which may be of a conventional type adapted to deliver low pressure fluid at about 150 psi. to a delivery conduit 120 for supplying a circiut for the positioner cylinder 56. The pump also delivers high pressure fluid at about 5,500 to 6,000 p.s.i. to a delivery conduit 121 for supplyinga circuit for'the applicator cylinder 94. Low pressure delivery conduit 120 leads to a three way valve 123 including a manually operable control handle 124 which may be manipulated to deliver pressure fluid from the conduit 120 to a conduit 125 leading to the be manipulated to permit return-of fluid from the conduit to areturn conduit 126. The high pressure delivery conduit 121 leads to a valve 128 having a manually operable control member 129 which may be manipulated to cause delivery of pressure'fluid from the conduit 121 to a conduit 130 leading to applicator piston and cylinder device 94 or which may be manipulatedto permit return flow of fluid from the conduit 130 to a return conduit 131. The return conduits 126 and 131 are joined together at 132, and a common return conduit 133 connects with the pump intake or reservoir. The valves 123 and 128 are supported on a plate 135 which is conveniently attached to the top flange 37 of the support column 36 adjacent the carriage axle 20 so that the valve control handles 124 and 129 are accessible to the operator seated at 28.

Operation In use, the carriage may be lifted by hand and placed on the rails 10 and 11, and maybe pushed byhand along the rails to place the positioner mechanism 16 and the applicator mechanism 17 inapproximately the desired positions relative to a tie such as that illustrated at 12. With the carriage'thuspositioned, rail anchors 'may be placed by hand beneath the base of the' rail 11 in substantially the positions illustrated in full lines in the drawings preparatory to use of the positioner mechanism 16 and the applicator mechanism 17. The anchors prepositioned by hand maybe held in position by' swinging the positioner frame downwardly from the elevated position'illustrated in FIG. 1 to the operative position illustrated in the succeeding figures wherein the anchor supporting pins 54 and 54' engage the anchors to hold them against the bottom of the rail base. With the pins'54 and 54' thus positioned, the positioner devices 50 and 51 are moved toward each other on admission of lowpressurefluid to the positioner piston and cylinder device'56. The pusher abutments '55 and 55 force the anchors against opposite sides of' the tie and hold the anchors during application by the applicator mechanism 17. It will be understood that the C-shaped positioner frame may be moved longitudinally of the carriage to properly locate the positioner devices 50 and 51 relative to the anchors tobe applied.

While the anchors are .iheld by the positioner mechanism, the applicator mechanism 17 may be moved longitudinally on the carriage andthe applicator jaws lowered into position for applyingone of'the rail anchors. With the applicator jaws positioned as illustrated in FIG. 5, fluid is admitted to the piston and cylinder device 94 to force the anchor to the rail'base. After this, the applicator mechanism. may be repositioned'to force the other anchor onto the rail base. 'It will be understood that both the positioner mechanism and the applicator mechanism may be raised to elevated positions which'permit movement of the carriage along the rails.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying a rail anchor to the base of a railroad track, comprising, a supporting framework, an anchor positioning mechanism on the framework including means for engaging a rail anchor and urging the anchor toward a rail base thereby to hold the anchor in position against a rail base to be forced thereonto and means for moving the rail anchor longitudinally of the rail base against a tie, and an anchor applying mechanism on the framework including means for'forcing the anchor onto the rail base While held by said positioning mechanism.

2. An apparatus for applying a rail anchor to the base of a railroad track rail or the like, comprising: a supportting framework; an anchor holdingmechanism including an arm pivotable on the framework from an elevated position to a lowered position, a rail anchor support on the end of the arm movable therewith when the arm is lowered, to a position beneath a rail base to engage the bottom surface of a rail anchor to hold the rail anchor against a rail base in position to be forced onto the rail base; and an anchor applying mechanism on the framework including means for forcing the anchor onto the rail base.

3. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a framework positionable adjacent a rail of a railroad track or the like; an anchor positioning mechanism including an arm pivotable on the framework about an axis generally parallel the rail and slidable on the framework along the pivot axis, an anchor positioning device fixed on the end of the arm, said device including a rail anchor support engageable with a rail anchor when the arm is pivoted to a lowered position thereby to hold the anchor in position against the rail base to be forced thereonto' and including an abutment engageable with the side of a rail anchor to hold the anchor against a tie, and means for sliding the arm on the framework to hold the anchor against a tie; and an anchor applying mechanism on the framework for forcing the anchor onto the rail base.

4. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a framework positionable on a rail of a railroad track or the like; an anchor positioning mechanism including an arm pivotable on the framework about an axis generally parallel to the rail, an anchor positioning device slidable on the end of said arm in a direction parallel to said pivot axis and having an anchor support engageable with a rail anchor when the arm is pivoted to a lowered position to hold the anchor in position against the rail base to be forced thereonto and to hold the anchor against a tie on slidable movement of the device, and means for sliding the device on the arm to hold the anchor against a tie; and an anchor applying mechanism on the framework for forcing the anchor onto the rail base.

5. An apparatus for applying rail anchors to the base of a'railroad track rail, comprising, a supporting framework, means on the framework for holding a pair of rail anchors in position against a rail base to be forced thereonto on opposite sides of a tie, and an anchor applying mechanism on the framework including means for forcing the anchors onto the rail base while held by the holding mechanism.

6. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a carriage movable along the rails of a railroad track; an anchor holding mechanism including a pair of legs swingable on the carriage toward a rail about an axis parallel to the rail; an anchor holding device on the end of each leg engageable with a rail anchor when the legs are swung toward the rail to urge the anchor toward the rail and hold the anchor in position beneath and against the rail to be forced onto the rail base; and an anchor applying mechanism on the carriage including means for forcing the anchors onto the rail base while held by the holding devices.

7. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a carriage movable along the rails of a railroad track; an anchor positioning mechanism including a C-shaped frame having the middle leg hung on the carriage for longitudinal sliding movement horizontally and for swinging movement of the end legs toward and away from a rail to straddle a tie, an anchor positioner on each leg, one mounted for movement toward the other, each positioner comprising a pin engageable with an anchor when the frame is swung toward the rail to hold the anchors in position against the rail base to be forced thereonto and a pusher abutment engageable with the side of an anchor on movement of the positioners toward each other to push the anchors against opposite sides of a tie, and a fluid operable device acting between the movable positioner and its supporting leg to move the positioners toward each other; and an anchor applying mechanism on the carriage for forcing the anchors onto the rail base while held by the positioners.

8. An apparatus for applying rail anchors to the base of a railroad track rail, comprising, a supporting framework, an anchor holding mechanism on the framework including means for holding a pair of rail anchors in position against a rail base to be forced thereonto on opposite sides of a tie, and an anchor applying mechanism movable on the framework from a first position for forcing one anchor of said anchors onto the rail base to a second position for forcing the other anchor onto the rail base.

9. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a carriage movable along the rails of a railroad track; an anchor positioning mechanism including a C-shaped frame having the middle leg hung on the carriage for longitudinal sliding movement horizontally and for swinging movement of the end legs toward and away from a rail to straddle a tie, an anchor positioner on each end leg, one positioner movable toward the other, each positioner comprising a pin engageable with a rail anchor when the frame is swung toward the rail to hold the anchors in position against the rail base to be forced thereonto and an abutment engageable with an anchor on movement of the positioners toward each other to push the anchors against opposite sides of a tie; and an anchor applying mechanism longitudinally movable on the carriage between said end legs and movable from an elevated position to a lowered position adjacent the rail for forcing an anchor onto the rail base while held by a positioner.

10. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a carriage movable along a railroad track; an anchor holding mechanism including an arm pivotable on the carriage from an elevated position permitting movement of the carriage along the track to a lowered position alongside a rail, and an anchor holding device on the end of the arm engageable with a rail anchor when the arm is swung to the lowered position to hold the anchor in position against the rail base to be forced thereonto; and an anchor applying mechanism including a carrier having a shoe engageable with the top of the rail, means supporting the carrier on the carriage for movement from an elevated position permitting movement of the carriage along the track to a lowered position with said shoe engaging the top of the rail, an anchor applying member pivoted on the carrier and having a pressure applying portion engageable with the rail anchor to force it upwardly onto the rail base, and means for pivoting the anchor applying member from a withdrawn position to an anchor applying position.

11. An apparatus for applying a rail anchor to the base of a railroad track rail, comprising, a supporting framework, and an anchor applying mechanism including a carrier and means supporting the carrier on the framework for movement from an elevated position to a lowered position adjacent the rail, a pair of relatively movable jaws on the carrier, one including a downwardly facing surface engageable with an upwardly facing surface on the rail and the other including an upwardly facing surface engageable with a downwardly facing surface on a. rail anchor beneath the rail base when the carrier is lowered, and means for moving the jaws toward each other to force the anchor upwardly onto the rail base.

12. An apparatus for applying a rail anchor to the base of a railroad track rail, comprising, a supporting framework, and an anchor applicator including a frame swingable on the supporting framework to a lowered position, a first applicator jaw carried by the applicator frame and having a shoe with a downwardly facing surface engageable with an upwardly facing surface on the rail when the frame is swung to the lowered position, a second applicator jaw pivo-table on the first jaw and including a pressure applying portion with an upwardly facing surface engageable with the bottom surface of a rail anchor positioned for application when the frame is swung to the lowered position, and means acting between the two jaws for pivoting said pressure applying portion toward said shoe to force the anchor upwardly onto the rail base.

13. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a supporting framework positionable adjacent a railroad track, and an anchor applying mechanism including a frame movable on the framework toward a rail and movable on the framework longitudinally of the rail, a first applicator jaw carried by the frame including a shoe engageable with one surface of the rail when the frame is moved toward the rail, a second jaw pivoted on the first jaw in opposition thereto and engageable with an anchor positioned beneath the rail base for application when the frame is moved toward the rail, and a fluid operable piston and cylinder connected between the jaws for pivoting the second jaw in opposition to the first jaw to force the anchor onto the rail base.

14. A rail anchor applicator, comprising: a carriage movable along a railroad track, and an anchor applying mechanism including a frame swingable on the carriage toward and away from rail about a horizontal axis parallel to carriage movement, a slide movable downwardly and upwardly on the frame toward and away from the rail, 1; carrier pivotable on the slide about a horizontal axis parallel to the swing axis of the frame, a pair of relatively movable jaws on the carrier, one engageable with the top of the rail and the other engageable with a rail anchor positioned for application when the carrier is lowered to ward the rail, and means for moving the jaws toward each other to force the anchor onto the rail base.

15. A rail anchor applicator, comprising, a pair of applicator jaws pivotally connected together, one having a downwardly facing surface engageable with an upwardly facing surface on a rail, and the other having an upwardly facing surface engageable with a downwardly facing surface on a rail anchor positioned beneath the rail base for application to the base, and means for moving the jaws toward each other to force the anchor upwardly onto the rail base.

16. A rail anchor applicator, comprising, a carrier movable toward and away from a rail and having a shoe with a downwardly facing surface engageable with the top of the rail, an anchor applying member pivoted on the carrier and having a pressure applying portion with an upwardly facing surface engageable with a downwardly facing surface of a rail anchor positioned beneath the rail base for application, spring means normally retaining the pressure applying portion in a retracted position, and a fluid operable piston and cylinder device for pivoting the anchor applying member from the retracted position to an anchor applying position.

17. An apparatus for applying rail anchors which are prepositioned on a rail base to the base of a railroad track rail, comprising a supporting framework adapted for movement along a railroad track, an anchor holding mechanism mounted on the framework including means for holding two prepositioned rail anchors against opposite sides of a tie in predriving position, and an anchor applying mechanism mounted on the framework including a driving means for forcing the rail anchors onto the rail base while being held in predriving position by said holding means.

18. An apparatus for applying rail anchors which are prepositioned on a rail base to the base of a railroad track rail, comprising a supporting framework adapted for movement along a railroad track, an anchor holding mechanism mounted on the framework including means for holding two prepositioned rail anchors against opposite sides of a tie, said holding means including a secondary means for moving the two prepositioned anchors in opposite directions longitudinally of the rail for forcing them tightly against opposite sides of said tie in predriving position, and an anchor applying mechanism mounted on the framework including a driving means for forcing the rail anchors onto the rail base while being held in predriving position by said holding means.

19. A rail anchor mounting machine for mounting a pair of rail anchors upon a rail and in engagement with the opposite sides of a tie supporting the rail, comprising: a frame; wheels, mounted upon said frame, for supporting said frame upon a railway for movement therealong; a pair of clamp members; means for supporting said clamp members upon said frame for movement between a normal elevated position above the ties of the railway and an operating position in which said clamp members extend below the tops of said ties and are disposed adjacent the base flange of one rail of said railway; means for moving said clamp members between said normal and operating positions; power-driven means for moving at least one of said clamp members relative to said frame and longitudinally of said one rail and toward the other of said clamp members to clamp a pair of rail anchors between said clamp members and against opposite sides of one tie of said railway; a power-driven rail anchor driving device; means for mounting said driving device upon said frame for movement between normal positions displaced from said operating positions of said clamp members and driving positions adjacent said operating positions of said clamp members and in alignment and engagement with said rail anchors; and power-driven means for actuating said driving device in its operating positions to force said rail anchors onto the rail.

20. An apparatus for positioning and holding two rail anchors on the base of a railroad track rail on opposite sides of a tie preparatory to application of the anchors to the rail base, comprising, a supporting framework adapted for movement along a railroad track, an anchor holding means mounted on the framework for holding two prepositioned anchors on the rail base on opposite sides of a tie supporting the rail, and an anchor positioning means mounted on the framework for moving the prepositioned anchors longitudinally of the rail base against opposite sides of the tie while held by the holding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,575,535 Talboys et al. Nov. 20, 1951 2,669,041 Fox et al. Feb. 16, 1954 2,730,962 Wright et al Ian. 17, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Railway Track and Structures Cyclopedia: 1955, 8th ed., Rail Anchors, chapter 21, pages 297-308. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A RAIL ANCHOR TO THE BASE OF A RAILROAD TRACK, COMPRISING, A SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK, AN ANCHOR POSITIONING MECHANISM ON THE FRAMEWORK INCLUDING MEANS FOR ENGAGING A RAIL ANCHOR AND URGING THE ANCHOR TOWARD A RAIL BASE THEREBY TO HOLD THE ANCHOR IN POSITION AGAINST A RAIL BASE TO BE FORCED THEREONTO AND MEANS FOR MOVING THE RAIL ANCHOR LONGITUDINALLY OF THE 